John P. Ward spent his youth as a caddy at Tuscarora Golf Club but grew up to be one of the best golfers in Onondaga County. Ward, a NCAA All-American at Syracuse University, took home the state junior title in 1941 and finished second in the State Amateur in 1949.

 

A semifinal finish in the 1950 U.S. Amateur garnered Ward an invitation to compete in the 1951 Masters at Augusta with golfers such as Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson and Sam Snead.

 

Ward, who was active in the SDGA, state and USGA organizations, set countless course records and won several prestigious local tournaments. He won the Syracuse District Golf Association title three times. He also was a three-time winner of the Herald Amateur including back-to-back crowns in 1957 (its inaugural year) and 1958. During his career, Ward won 70 different individual championships and qualified for six national amateur and 12 North-South Championships plus two U.S. Opens.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

 

1938-1942: Attended Syracuse University, captain of golf team, three-time New York State Champion; NCAA All-American Golf Team (1941, 1942)

 

1939-1941: Won three Syracuse District Junior Champions

 

1941-1981: Set or tied eleven different course records in Onondaga County

 

1943-1945: Served in the US Army Air Force

 

1946: Won Drumlins, Bellevue Member-Guest, Champion of Champions Tournament, CNY Pro-Club Champion Tournament

 

1949: Voted Athlete of the Week, July 24th

 

1949, 1958, 1972: Runner-up New York State Amateur Championship

 

1950: Semifinalist, U.S. Amateur Championship

 

1951: Played in The Masters

 

1957: Won first of three Herald Amateur titles

 

1960-1961 President New York State Golf Association

 

Other achievements: Won 11 major local championships, medalist in six major local championships, won 23 club championships, 28 Member-Guests and nine Better Ball Championships. Recorded holes-in-one at Oak Hill Country Club and Alexandria Bay Golf Course.